Head Injuries, Concussion May Raise Risk For Depression In Kids.

HealthDay (10/26, Norton) reported that youngsters who have sustained head injuries or concussions appear to “have a much higher-than-average rate of depression,” according to a study presented at the national conference of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Researchers came to this conclusion after analyzing data from “a 2007 nationally representative study covering nearly 82,000” youngsters and adolescents younger than age 18.

Medscape (10/28, McNamara) quotes the study’s lead author, who said, “Our take-home message is that knowledge of this association may help parents and” physicians “identify children at risk for depression and initiate therapy of this treatable” condition.

Kids, Teens With Concussions May Need Short Break From School. The New York Times (10/27, Hoffman) “Well” blog reported that yesterday at its annual conference as well as online in the journal Pediatrics, “the American Academy of Pediatrics issuedrecommendations (10/23) for ‘return to learn’ checklists to alert doctors, school administrators and parents to potential cognitive and academic challenges to students who have suffered concussions.”

The Time (10/27, Sifferlin) “Healthland” blog reported that even though kids “may appear to be physically normal after having a concussion, they may actually have trouble learning new information and retaining it.” Returning to school too quickly “may exacerbate these symptoms.” The guidelines recommend that children with particularly severe symptoms may need to stay home from school. Previous research has shown that it may take up to three weeks before a child is fully recovered from a concussion.